Methods to Heal Autoimmune Hair Loss

When the first clump of hair falls out, most people are inclined to make an appointment with their GP to determine how they can ‘fix’ the problem.  Unfortunately, your Medical Doctor is likely to refer you to a Dermatologist who will want to treat the problem with cortisone injections, rather than get to the bottom of what is the underlying cause of the hair loss.  Here are three things you should do before seeing your GP:

1. Food Panel Test- Depending on the laboratory, you can test approximately 100 different types of foods to determine your body’s reaction to foods such as wheat, dairy, eggs, nuts, to name a few of the more common ones.  In a Type III hypersensitivity reaction, symptoms are delayed and sometimes difficult to detect or may be identified as a different type of condition, so a food panel test will reveal sensitivities or allergies.  Celiac’s disease (gluten intolerance found in wheat and many other foods) is known to cause alopecia.  The procedure is a simple blood test that can be done by a Naturopath.
2. Candida Test - Often Food Panel testing will also test for candida (yeast), which can wreak havoc on the digestive system and often spreads to other areas of the body if not treated.  A general candida test will give you an general indication as to whether or not you have candida, but it is best to see your Naturopathic health practitioner to get an accurate diagnosis and follow up treatment.  If left untreated, candida can build up and provide a barrier on the lumen of the stomach, preventing absorption of many essential nutrients. Loss of certain minerals and vitamins can lead to alopecia.
3. Go organic- We live in a world where GMO, herbicides and pesticides are now the norm.  People with autoimmune problems have hyper-vigilant immune systems that will often detect a foreign substance early and will produce antibodies to protect the body.  By going organic, you will reduce the body’s need for hyper-immunity and reduce the chemicals ingested that may be contributing to hair loss.  Although a little more expensive than mass produced food, over time the benefits of organic food will outweigh the cost.

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